Painted Blade | K9 Conservationists

Painted Blade Study

Project Goals: The study focuses on how the painted blades affect fatality rates for eagles, diurnal non-eagle birds, and bats. Experts hypothesize that both eagles and diurnal non-eagle birds can perceive painted blades, resulting in higher turbine avoidance.

Project Details

Project Location: Glenrock, WY

Project Partners: PacifiCorp, Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Invenergy, U.S. Department of Energy, NextEra Energy Resources, and Oregon State University

Project Duration: multi-year study

Targets Found: confidential

Team Members

Handlers: Blair, Heather, and Rachel

K9s: Buzzard, Boone, Ellie, Scottie, Niffler and Suki

Related Media

Photo: Courtesy of PacifiCorp

Can Painting One Blade Black Help Birds Avoid Wind Turbines?

Since April 2023, a team in Glenrock, Wyoming has been hard at work painting one blade black on 36 different wind turbines to evaluate the effects of this strategy to reduce risks to birds flying near the wind turbines.

PacifiCorp moving forward with study on bird safety near wind turbines

PacifiCorp and its research partners are moving forward with a highly anticipated and ambitious study to evaluate the effects of painting a single wind turbine blade in black on 36 different turbines to reduce collision risks to birds flying near the wind turbines.

"My team and I had the pleasure of working with Kayla and two [of K9 Conservationists'] wonderful dogs, Scottie and Barley. Kayla's positivity and adaptability were truly remarkable. She approached every challenge with a smile and a can-do attitude, making her a pleasure to work with. Scottie and Barley were not only well-trained but also incredibly adaptable to different environments, proving to be invaluable assets to our conservation efforts. Kayla's unique bond with her dogs and their combined skills made them an exceptional team in the world of conservation. I highly recommend Kayla and her K9 Conservationists for any project – they are a dynamic and positive force for the preservation of our natural world."

- Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant